Interaction of high frequency internal waves and the boundary layer on the continental shelf
Sanford, Lawrence P.
MetadataShow full item record
LocationNorthern California Continental Shelf
Intermittent, shoreward propagating packets of high frequency first mode internal waves are common on the continental shelf when the water column is stratified and may induce large fluctuations in near bottom velocity. Simple theoretical considerations here lead to an approximate method for estimating those quantities of most interest for the bottom boundary layer interaction problem. Examination of data from the pilot Coastal Ocean Dynamics Experiment (CODE I) shows that near bottom velocity fluctuations in the high frequency internal wave band were dominated by shoreward propagating, intermittent mode 1 internal events. Predictions of CODE I internal wave characteristics using the above approximate method are shown to be good. A boundary layer model is developed, which allows for the nonlinear interaction of surface waves, internal waves, and a steady current over a rough bottom. Modeling results suggest that internal waves will significantly enhance the stress felt by the steady current, and can increase the variability and decrease the reliability of boundary layer measurements by the "log profile" technique, when the waves are present. Theoretical dissipation of internal wave energy in the bottom boundary layer is found to be significantly enhanced in the presence of surface waves and currents, and may be important to the overall internal wave energy balance on the shelf.
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution August 1984
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
The modification of bottom boundary layer turbulence and mixing by internal waves shoaling on a barrier reef Davis, Kristen A.; Monismith, Stephen G. (American Meteorological Society, 2011-11-01)Results are presented from an observational study of stratified, turbulent flow in the bottom boundary layer on the outer southeast Florida shelf. Measurements of momentum and heat fluxes were made using an array of acoustic ...
Tochko, John Steven (Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1978-02)The design and operation of a unique flow measuring instrument for bottom boundary layer studies in the marine environment is documented. The effectiveness of the instrument in acquiring data with which models of near ...
Data report : stress measurements in the bottom boundary layer with BASS tripods STRESS II 1990-91 Gross, Thomas F.; Amft, Julie; Williams, Albert J. (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1993-11)Two Benthic Acoustic Strss Sensor (BASS) equipped tripods were deployed in the Sediment TRansport Events on Shelves and Slopes (STRESS) experiment on the Californa Shelf acquiring data from January to March 1991. They ...